Forging apparatus.



. No. 797,487. PATBNTED AUG. l5, 1905.

J. H. BAKER. FORGING APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED AUG. 11, 1904.

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PATBNTED AUG. 15,1905.

J. H. BAKER. 'FORGING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION rum AUG. 11, 1904.

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PATENTED AUG. 15, 1905.

J. H. BAK-ER. FORGING APPARATUS. APPLICATION HLBD Aim. 11, 1904.

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makew. n. ummm co Fuovo ummm JAMES H. BAKER, OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

FORGI NG- APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

f Patented- Aug. 15, 1905.

Applioation'led August ll, 1904. Serial No. 220,330.

To @ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J AMES H. BAKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ForgingApparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure I is a view in vertical section of a blank adapted for my forging apparatus.

Figs. 2 tp 5, inclusive, represent the blank in subsequent stages of treatment between the successively-acting dies. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the apparatus. Fig.,7is a horizontal cross-section on the line VII VII ofFig. 6. lFig. 8 is a. vertical sectional view indicated by the line VIII VIII of Fig. 7, showing the bar-raising springs. Fig. 9 is a plan View of the apparatus. Fig. l0 is a cross-sectional view on the line X X of Fig. 6. Fig. Il is a similar view on the line XI XIl of Fig. 6. Fig. l2 is an end view of the apparatus. Fig. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view on the line XIII XIII of Fig. 6. Fig. 14 is a detail View, in side elevation, of the unlocking mechanism for releasing' the die-frame for forward travel. Fig. l5 is a detail view of the locking and unlocking' mechanism for the traveling framework.

My invention relates to apparatus for forging wheel-blanks, car-wheels, and similar articles from a rough ingot or blank in a. rapid continuous manner by continuous series of ra pidly-succeeding operations, so as to'iinally4 reduce it to the desired size. The apparatus has in View the handling of the blank and successively forging the metal outwardly, While at the same time distributing surplus or inferior metal toward the central part by a series of successively-acting upper and lower dies and the various other operations of the mechanism, as shall be more fully hereinafter described, preferably utilizing automatic manipulation throughout.

While the apparatus is capable of the formation of various circular bodies, I shall describe it as applied to the forging of carwheels or blanks therefor, it being obvious that by properly-formed dies the apparatus may be readily applied to the making of gearwheel blanks, zc. p

One of the objects of myinvention is to provide means for forging such a form from the simplest, therefore cheapest, form' of steel-- that of the ingot-and to get the tread of the wheel from the best portion of the ingot vby the use of a succession of dies adapted to force the metal laterally, whereby the tread is formed from the vertically-intermediate portion of the ingot-body. l

rI`he invention is designedto utilizea previously-prepared blank, such as shown in Fig. l, resulting from an ingotV after having been forged or hammeredinto the form shown, so as to provide projecting portions at ea'ch end, a hole c having also been punched of a diameter as large or larger than the final central opening of the iinished blank. In punching the hole c the ingot is left of greater or less height, so that the given-sized diameter of punch will remove more or less of the metal. This is because,owingto blow-holes, imperfect heating, &`c. ,ingots may vary in weight, so that after they have been heated and after removal vof the scale in the swaging operation they may then be reduced to uniform weight .without any practical variation. 'Ihus in passing the ingot from the swaging-hammer to be flattened down it is iirst weighed and if too heavy it is then only partially flattened and the hole is punched, and it is thus brought down to the correct-weight and is then further flattened to the desired thickness. By this preliminary treatment of the ingot I secure the best quality of steel for the tread portion, into which it isformed by the subsequent forging operations carried out in my apparatus.

2 3 represent the upper and lower dies between which the blank is forged, a series of `such dies being arranged successively, so as to be brought successively into register with the blank, and for this purpose I have provided a traveling framework consisting of upper and lower pairs of longitudinal bars 4 5, mounted uponsupportingwheels 6, along which the frame is transported periodically.

7 represents the columns or housing members ot' the forging mechanism supporting at the upper portion a hydraulic or othercylinder 8 and at the lower "portion a similar cylinder 9. The piston of the lower cylinder 9 extends upwardly and is provided with a suitable guiding-bearing 9', engaging posts 7, the piston extending upwardly beneath the lower die3 and provided with tapered centering-pins IO, adapted to enter corresponding sockets 1I in the under side of the die. The upper die bears upwardly under the pressure of the lower die through the blank against a suitable ,supporting-die-bearing element, as a crossblank is removed.

lwhich'engages rack-bar 26.

head 12, having been first raised by actuating means hereinafter described, being provided with centering-pins adapted to enter sockets 11 in the die 2.

13 13 are horizontal arms, pivoted at 14 upon any suitable supportingframework connected with the housing, adapted to be forced inwardly toward each other b v suitable devices, as springs 15, to engage and support the blank of smallest diameter, and to be extended outwardly by upward contact of the lower dies 3 of successively greater diameter. The bars 13 are provided with beveled edges '16 on their under portions adapted to engage corresponding teeth formed in-a cross supporting-bar 17, mounted in columns 7, while upwardly-pressing springs 18 normally hold the bars 13 out of contact therewith when the The bars 13 are pressed Ainwardly by springs 15, adjustable stops 19 being provided to limit their inward travel. After each forging operation the lower dies descend, leaving the blank resting on bars 13. 1n the next succeeding operation the lower die in ascending lifts the blank from the bars 13, and the die passing up between'- the bars spreads them far enough apart to permit the die to pass between them. The ensuing' forging operation further increases the diameter of the blank, which is again received and supported by the bars upon the next downward travel of the dies.

The upper and lower bai-s4 5 of the traveling die-supporting frame are provided with lugs 20, having inwardly-tapering extremities, between which the dies 2 are supported upon the frame by means of lateral lugs 21. The tapering faces of lugs 20facilitate the placing' of the dies, readily guiding them so that they will fall into proper position withoutspecial care. Motion is transmitted to the die-carrying frame by toothed wheels 22 engaging racks 23 at one or vboth sides, the wheels 22 being mounted upon shaft 24, provided with a pinion-wheel 25 of reduced diameter, with nected by rod 27 with piston 28 of cylinder 29, provided with suitable inlet and outlet connections and controlling-valve and during the vforging operation under constant pressure, so

as to automatically transmit movement to the frame immediately upon completion of each forging step, as hereinafter described. l

' If desired, the die-supporting frame may be made stationary and the dies mounted thereon and successively advanced into registering alinement with the forging mechanism by any suitable devices, as trucks or cradles, properly mounted and provided with actuating mechanism.

For the purpose of locking the frame lugs 3'0 are located at intervals upon one or both sides of bars 4 or 5, as shown, and'engaged by a locking-arm 31, pivoted at 32, pressed inwardly by spring 33 and provided with an Rack 26 is conarm v34, adapted to be engaged on downward motion or releasing motion-of the lockinghooks. To effect such disengagement,an arm is pivoted at 36 to a bearing secured .to the locking-hook 38', arm 35 being provided with a bevel-face terminal adapted to engage arm 34 and depress it inwardly, thereby releasing locking-lug 30. Arm 35 passes on downwardly past arm 34, and on its return movement a lug 35l engages under bevel-face 34', throwing arm 31 inwardly against the next succeeding lug 3() as the frame is advanced. By this means the next succeeding die is permitted to be brought forwardly into register with theblank and its supporting-frame is arrested at the proper point.

38 and 38 are the locking-hooks by which the upper die is lifted from the supportingframe against the cross-head 12 and centering-pins 10 and sockets 11. These hooks constitute the terminals of piston-rods 39, provided with pistons 40,mounted in-cylinders 41, supported above the cross-head 12, while similar hooks 42, forming the terminals of rods 43 of pistons 44, mounted in cylinders 45, extend upwardly to engage the lower die to hold it upon the upwardly-projecting diesupporting extension or bearing element 9 of the piston of cylinder 9. Cylinders 45 are mounted upon movable cross -head 9 and travel upwardly and downwardly with it, while all of the cylinders 45 and 41 are connected with a single controlling-valve under the control of an operator, by which the mechanism is actuated.

As shown in the drawings, the dies 2 are provided with interior independently-acting portions, and in the pair of dies shown inV position in the machine and as illustrated inthe diagrammatic views (see Figs. 1 to 5) this independent internal portion consists of an inner die 46, adapted to move vertically independent of the outer surrounding die, for which purpose it is provided with a socket adapted to receive the head 47 of an independently-acting piston-rod 48,provided with piston 49, mounted in chamber 5() of cylinder 8, supported upon the upper cross-head 12. It will be observed that the main die 2 is also provided with sockets at each side in alinement with the socket of inner die 46, whereby the head 47 may pass inwardly to engage the interior die as the dies are moved forwardly by the frame. When suitably located in a central position, the head 47 engages the inner die and will impart independent movement to it.

lf desired, the piston-rod 48 may be provided with a magnet, its head 47 constituting an armature adapted to engage the inner die 46 magnetically,the actuating-current for the magnet being automatically controlled by the movement of any of the operating mechanisms of the apparatus.

The construction just described is the same for the lower die, the parts referred to being indicatedby the same numerals with ian additional prime-mark. It will also be understood that the cylinders 50 and 50' are connected with. a common operating-valve under the control of the operator. The second and subsequent pairs ofl dies consist of inner dies 51, provided with mandrel-points 52, actuated by the pistons 49 and 49, and outer dies 2 and 3, being actuated by the main moving elements of thel apparatus, as described. By making the mandrels '46 of the first pair of dies independently movable I am enabled to Aprovide for proper distribution of the metal, Y so as to absorb it in the central opening of the blank, for which purpose the mandrels 46 are primarilyinserted in said opening and then gradually partially withdrawn, so as to regulate the resistance to the' inward fiow of the metal, which may be varied within the kjudgment of the operator or automatically,

due to the pressure of the metal, and with an.

accompanying regulation of the pressure controlllng the movement of the mandrels. The importance of such varlable resistance 1s due to the fact that wheny the blank has been placed between the dies for the first operay ltion and the inner mand'rels are let into the hole in the blank until they meet, or nearly so, the height of the blank then being at-its maximum, the work of forging proceeds easily at first, the diameter of the blank being comparatively small, while as the blank increases in diameter its peripheral area also rincreases proportionally, while the thinner section of the intended web cools between the dies, thus increasing the difficulty and workl of laterally forging the large body of metal composing the rim. The center mandrels are therefore partially withdrawn to allow the surplus metal to fiow into the central cavity as the hub is reduced and the other forging operations carried on. lf desired, but one such centering-mandrel may be used with one yof the main dies of sufficient length to extend farther into the hub for the required distance. 1n the next operation a pair of forging-dies are brought into use, these having inner dies which in coming home compress the hub to the desired height. These inner dies have a short mandrel, either integral or independent,

which extends into the hub-cavity a suflicient distance to keep. the face of the hub from falling inwardly under the pressure exerted scription and is as follows: Suitable dies having been mountedv upon the upper and lower supporting-bars of the traveling frame and the blank provided with a central hole having been heated and located upon the supportingbars 13, pressure is admitted to the upper and lower cylinders 41 and 45 and also to lower cylinder 9. The upper die is thus raised by hooks 38 against die-bearing element 12 off of the supporting-frame. The lower die is raised by die bearing element 9" and clamped downwardly thereon by hooks 42. The lower die then proceeding upwardly engages the under side of the blank to accomplish the first forging operation. The pistons 49 and 49 are also actuated so as to locate the mandrels 46 at the desired relative position, and after such first operation the lower die is retracted to its original position upon the lower bars 5 of the frame, and hooks 38 and 42 are released, also releasing the Lipper die to its position upon bars 4 of frame. Power is then applied to cylinder 29, causing the framework to travel one space, bringing the next succeeding pair of dies into register with the blank, which in the meantime is supported upon the bars 18. The operation just described is then repeated, and these are successively repeated until the blank has been finally pressed by the last pair of dies, when it may be taken away from the machine, the frame retracted, a new blank inserted, and the `operation repeated.

For forging certain shapes-as, for instance, a body having' a fiat surface atone. side-it may be only necessary to change the die for one side, using a' permanent die for the other side adapted to coperatewith the different dies, which may be substituted at one side only in the same manner as already described. In such operations the permanent die practically constitutes an anvil and may be of any ymade to suit varying conditions or requirements, and all such are to be considered as within the scope of the following' claims.

What I claim is-- 1. An apparatus for forging metal compris ing mechanism forpressing ablank between op'positely-located dies, a series of movable dies, means for shifting said dies to and from said pressing mechanism, with means for securing them to the pressing mechanism, substantially as set forth.

2.. An apparatus for forging metal comprising oppositely-located die-bearing elements, a series of dies, means for positioning each of -said dies in register with said bearing ele-V ments, means for securing a die to one of said bearing elements, and means for advancing one of said bearing elements toward the other, substantially as set forth.

3. An apparatus for forging metal comprising oppositely-located die-bearing elements, a series of dies, a die-carrier arranged to move said dies to and from one of said bearing elements, means for removing a die from the carrier and securing it to one of said bearing elements, and means for advancing one of said bearing elements toward the other, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with a die-bearing element, of a die, and independently-operative power-actuated devices arranged to eng'ag'e and clamp the die thereto, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with a die-bearing' element, of a die-carrier, a series of dies mounted thereon, and means for removing the dies singly from the carrier and for securing them lto the die-bearing element, substantially as Set forth.

6. The combination with oppositely a1'- ranged die-bearing elements, of a die-carrier, series of dies mounted thereon, means for removing dies from the carrier, means for securing the dies to the die-bearing' elements, and means for advancing one of said bearing elements toward the other, substantially as set forth.

7. In apparatus for forging metal, the combination with pressing mechanism, of dies, means adapted to move the dies to and from said pressing mechanism, means for registering the dies therewith, and means for securing the dies to said pressing mechanism with intervening blank-supporting devices, substantially as set forth.

8. An apparatus for forging' metal comprising oppositely-arranged die-bearing elements, intervening blank-supporting devices, a series of dies, means for positioning' each of said dies in register with said bearing elements, means for securing' a die to one of said bearing elements, and means for advancing' one of said bearing elements toward the other, substantially as set forth.

9. rl`he combination with oppositely arranged die-bearing' elements, means for clamping dies thereto, and means for advancing` one of said die-bearing elements toward the other;

' of a die-carrier, a series of dies mounted thereed thereon, means for successively advancingthe carrier to position the pairs o f dies in register with the die-bearing elements, and means for advancing one of said die-bearing elements toward the other, substantially as set forth.

11. 1n forging apparatus, the combination of oppositely-disposed pairs of inner and outer dies, means for bringing the outer dies toward each other, and means for retracting' the inner dies, substantially as set forth.

12. In apparatus for forging metal, the combination with oppositely disposed pressing mechanism and an interposed blank-supporting device; of a series of dies, a supporting traveling' frame therefor, and means adapted to actuate the frame to advance the dies successively into register with the pressing mechanism, substantially as set forth.

13. 1n forging apparatus, the combination with oppositely-disposed main dies, of inner dies arranged to grasp the blank between them and hold it, while one of the outside main dies is caused to advance and operate upon the blank with independentl y-operating means for actuating said main and inside dies, substantially as set forth. 14. In apparatus for forging' metal, the combination with oppositely-disposed pressing mechanism and an interposed blank-supporting device; a traveling die-supporting frame provided with guiding and registering devices for the dies, dies mounted therein, and means for actuating the frame and for registering and securing the dies relative to the pressing mechanism, substantially as set forth.

15. In forging apparatus, the combination with a stationary die provided with a movable interior die; of oppositely-disposed means for independently actuating inner and outer dies, die-carriers arranged to move the dies successively into position to be supported and operatively actuated, means for supporting the blank between said oppositely-disposed dies, and means for securing the dies to their actuating' means, substantially as set forth.

16. 1n forging apparatus, the combination of two oppositely-disposed main dies, bearingheads therefor, a cylinderback of the heads of each of said main dies, pistons mounted in said cylinders having' rods extending through the bearing-heads of the main dies, an auxiliary die carried by each of said piston-rods, said auxiliary dies being independently operative whereby the blank may be grasped by the inner dies and carried toward either of the main dies, substantially as set forth.

17. In forging apparatus, the combination of two oppositely-disposed main dies, bearinglieads therefor, a cylinder back of the heads of each of said main dies, pistons mounted in said cylinders having rods extending through the bearing-heads of the main dies, an auxiliary die carried by each of said piston-rods, said auxiliary dies being independently operative whereby the blank may be grasped by the inner dies and carried toward either of the main dies, with means for independently actuating one of themain dies, substantially as set forth.

18. In forging apparatus, the combination with a plurality of dies, of oppositely-disposed die-actuating mechanism, means for carrying a die to operative position with relation thereto, means for removin-g a die from said carrying means and for placing and securing it upon said actuating mechanism, with means for supporting a blank in" position to be engaged and operated upon by said oppositelydisposed dies, substantially as set forth.

19. In forging apparatus, the combination with a stationary die provided with a movable interior die; of oppositely-disposed means for independently actuating inner and outer dies, die-carriers arranged to move the dies successively into position to be supported and operatively actuated, means for supporting the blank between said oppositely-disposed dies, and means for securing the dies to their actuating means, substantially as set forth.

20. -In forging apparatus, the combination with a plurality of dies, of oppositely-disposed die-actuating mechanism, means for carrying a die to operative position with relation thereto, means for removing a die from said carrying means and for placing and securing it upon said actuating mechanism, with means for supporting a blank in position to be engaged and operated upon by said oppositelydisposed dies, substantially as set forth.

21. In forging apparatus, the combination with a die, of oppositely-disposed die-actuating mechanism, a series of outer and inner dies, a traveling frame arranged to support said series of dies and to carry them to and away from said actuating mechanism, with means for imparting movement to the frame, means for successively securing the dies to the actuating mechanism, and means for periodically supporting the blank between the oppositely-disposed dies, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES H. BAKER.

Witnesses:

JAS. J. MCAFEF., C. M. CLARKE. 

